Dec 4, 2009
Economic and Fiscal Statement
Mr. Speaker, as this is the first time I rise in this 40th Parliament, my first words are those of thanks to the people of Glengarry-Prescott-Russell for having elected me to be their member of Parliament a second time.
As the member for Glengarry-Prescott-Russell, I would like my voters to know that I have worked hard to represent them here in the House of Commons over the past three years and I will continue to do so...
Nov 30, 2009
Agriculture and Agri-Food
Mr. Speaker, first of all, let me state that when it comes to agriculture, our Conservative government puts farmers first in everything that we do.
With respect to country of origin labelling, our government is standing up to the U.S. on this harmful legislation and is formally challenging the COOL legislation at the World Trade Organization. Thanks to our efforts a panel was established by the WTO dispute settlement body on November 19, 2009. We have taken action to defend the interests of Canada's cattle and hog producers and we are confident that we will win our challenge...
Nov 19, 2009
Agriculture
Madam Speaker, I thank the House for giving me the opportunity to respond in greater detail to the question regarding the subject of the three new programs that we have announced for our hog farmers.
The first program is $17 million for marketing our world class pork products and creating new markets for our hog farmers. The other two hog programs the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food announced this August provide additional financial assistance to the hog industry. These new programs help producers to either consolidate and restructure their debt into government-back long-term loans, or to transition out of the industry...
Nov 5, 2009
Fairness for the Self-Employed Act
It is a pleasure for me to rise today in defence of Bill C-56, Fairness for the Self-Employed Act, which provides self-employed persons in Canada with special employment insurance benefits.
Entrepreneurship is vital to a vibrant economy and creates jobs in Canadian communities. Last year, there were 2.6 million self-employed in Canada, accounting for 15.4% of the active population. Nearly one-third of self-employed women are in their reproductive years...
Nov 2, 2009
Employment Insurance Act
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to speak today to Bill C-50 at report stage. This is the Conservative government's bill that will amend the Employment Insurance Act to increase employment insurance benefits for long-tenured employees...
Oct 29, 2009
Strengthening Canada's Corrections System Act
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to sponsor Bill C-43, An Act to amend the Corrections and Conditional Release Act and the Criminal Code.
As the father of five children, public safety is a matter of great importance to me, and that is why I am proud to rise today to show that the government is honouring its promises to improve safety on our streets and in our communities, for all Canadians, and to ensure that victims have a voice in the justice system...
April 2, 2009
Canada Grain Act
I am very pleased to express my support for Bill C-13, An Act to amend the Canada Grain Act. This bill illustrates the government's unwavering commitment to put our farmers first, by eliminating costly regulations and the inevitable, pointless problems currently facing Canada's grain industry.
Over the past few years, the grain sector in western Canada has undergone considerable transformation. The grain market has evolved, and it centres more and more on niche markets, livestock feed and biofuels, as well as other value-added opportunities...
March 26, 2009
Criminal Code
I am happy to have the opportunity to speak in strong support of Bill C-14, which proposes changes to the Criminal Code to strengthen our responses to organized crime. Like many Canadians, I have been deeply disturbed by the rash of violence linked to organized crime, and in particular street gangs, and I am pleased that our government has taken this important step towards fortifying our Criminal Code regime in its capacity to respond to such violence...
Pierre Speaks on the Court Challenges Program
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Mr. Speaker, in as much as the dispute between the FCFA and
the government has been under consideration by Judge Martineau of
the Federal Court since February 26, it would be inappropriate to
make any comment whatsoever about this case.
Furthermore, the government has
clearly stated its position with regard to the lawsuit in its
written representations to the court.
.. ► read Pierre's speech
Pierre responds to the Bloc Opposition Motion
regarding Compliance with the Charter of the French language
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to respond to the motion of the
member for Joliette. The point I want to make is that the
Bloc members' statements about official languages do not
stand up. Inevitably, they start by claiming that French
cannot flourish in Canada, which could not be further from
the truth and flies in the face of our country's history. I
want to assure this House that our government is firmly
committed to meeting its obligations to support the official
languages and promote French and English throughout Canada... ► read Pierre's speech
Pierre Speaks on Budget 2008
Tuesday,
March 4, 2008
Mr. Speaker, it is a great honour and privilege to rise in
this House today to speak about our latest Conservative
budget. In addition to being a responsible, prudent and
well balanced budget, which reduces debt and helps
Canadians, several good initiatives in this budget were very
well received by the constituents in my riding of
Glengarry—Prescott—Russell. They include real measures for
business, agriculture, infrastructure and, naturally,
families and seniors, the very foundation of our society and
closest to our government's heart.. ► read Pierre's speech
Official
Languages
Monday,
March 3, 2008
Mr. Speaker, our government works hard for official language
minority communities and we are taking concrete action to
ensure the vitality of French and English in Canada. In
the last throne speech, we undertook to propose a new
strategy for implementing the next phase of the action plan
for official languages. The
Prime Minister and the
minister of Official Languages announced last
December the appointment of Bernard Lord as special adviser
for consultations on linguistic duality and official
languages. In the 2008 budget, our government reaffirmed
this commitment... ► read Pierre's speech
Tackling Violent Crime Act
February 6, 2008
Mr. Speaker, I
rise in the House today to highlight the unacceptable actions of the
Liberals concerning a matter of great importance, the tackling
violent crime bill. Today the Canadian Crime Victim Foundation added its voice to
those calling for the tackling violent crime bill to be passed
immediately in the Senate. It said, “We call upon all members of the
Canadian Senate to do the right thing for all Canadians and pass
this legislation without delay”... ► more of Pierre's speech
